Coconut Oil & Lauric Acid

At one time coconut oil received negative press in the US
because of its high level of saturated fat. However, modern
research has shown that not all saturated fats are alike
and that the fatty acids in coconut oil, the medium chain
triglycerides, do not raise serum cholesterol or contribute
to heart disease, but are in fact very healthy. Also, some
negative studies done on coconut oil in the past was done
on hydrogenated coconut oil, which has been altered from
its original form. Other studies have clearly shown that
traditional Asian cultures that eat significant amounts of
coconut in their diet do not suffer from modern diseases
seen in western cultures that promote a low-fat diet.

Much research on the nutritional and medicinal benefits on
coconut oil has surfaced in recent years. Much of that
research has been done by Dr. Mary Enig. Dr. Enig has
classified coconuts as a "functional food," which provides
health benefits over and beyond the basic nutrients. She
has specifically identified lauric acid as a key ingredient
in coconut products:

"Approximately 50% of the fatty acids in coconut fat are
lauric acid. Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid,
which has the additional beneficial function of being
formed into monolaurin in the human or animal body.
Monolaurin is the anti-viral, antibacterial, and
antiprotozoal monoglyceride used by the human or animal to
destroy lipid coated viruses such as HIV, herpes,
cytomegalovirus, influenza, various pathogenic bacteria
including listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori,
and protozoa such as giardia lamblia. Some studies have
also shown some antimicrobial effects of the free lauric
acid."

As a "functional food," coconut oil is now being recognized
by the medical community as a powerful tool against immune
diseases. Several studies have been done on its
effectiveness, and much research is currently being done on
the incredible nutritional value of pure coconut oil.

"Coconut oil is the healthiest oil on earth" says Dr. Bruce
Fife, a naturopathic doctor and the author of the book The
Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil. Modern research seems to
back up this bold statement. Once wrongly accused of
increasing cholesterol levels, coconut oil is now actually
being used by doctors in the treatment of a variety of
disorders. Clinical studies have shown that coconut oil has
anti-microbial and anti-viral properties, and is now even
being used in treating AIDS patients. Studies conducted in
the Philippines last year showed that coconut oil does
indeed reduce the viral load in AIDS patients.